Early on, bi-planes were good for aerobatics because they provided a very strong wing structure by using wires that braced very light box wing-structures. When carbon fibre came along, mono-winged planes made of carbon fibre could became much stronger and had less drag than the four planes of a bi-plane wing. 

The C-17A Globemaster III is a military combat transporter aircraft that weighs roughly 270,000kg and can fly at up to 819km/h. It can carry up to 40 Holden Commodores. 

Volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) began restoring this L-1049F Super Constellation, nicknamed Connie, in 1992. They flew it home from Tuscon in 1996. Connie holds a special place in the hearts of many Qantas pilots as one of the company’s first long distance passenger carriers and stylishly 1950s design. 

Crowds at the weekend show would often stop almost mid-stride to look up at an air display. 

The airshow is run over a weekend, and in 2016 on the Saturday the Historical Aircraft Restoriation Society (HARS) ran a fundraising dinner for its members under the wings of Connie. 

Matt Hall is a former combat fighter pilot and placed second in the 2015 Red Bull Air Race, touted by some as the Formula One of the skies. 

Matt Hall upside-down during one of his aerobatic routines. His routine had the potential to put up to 10Gs of pressure on the pilot. Four Gs is about the amount required to make the average person pass out. 

The Russian Roulettes leave a dramatic trail of biodegradable smoke vapour in the sky during their aerobatic display in Russian-made Yak-52 aircraft. 

People at the airshow can walk through the ‘Connie’, the Super Constellation restored by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society. Despite a 1950s vintage, Connie still takes off, although oil pooled in her engines creates a dramatic burst of fire and smoke as she warms up. 

Visitors walk around the fields of Illawarra Regional Airport. Behind the rope barrier are planes set to fly in the air display. Static displays, some of which can be climbed into, are parked near the hangers.  

During a show the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulettes fly at speeds up to 460km/h and even, occasionally, 590km/h, depending on the manoeuvre.

Punters at the show all have a special gleam of glee in their eyes. 

Aviation uniform was the costume theme of the Historical Aircraft Society’s fundraising dinner. 

The Australian Army’s Red Berets also show off their paragliding skills. 

The smoke from the planes is created by a biodegradble oil vaporised by the engine or an external device. It has be be fairly harmless because it invisibly coats the fields below. 

An airshow visitor climbs into what used to be a machine gun turret on a Lockheed Neptune, a maritime patrol aircraft and submarine hunter on static display. 

Wings Over Illawarra in undoubtedly a whole family affair for some. Others groups appear to be like-minded groups of friends. The weekend show bustles around the Society’s open hangar and the grassy fields of Illawarra Regional Airport; this year’s event drew 22,000 visitors, all here to enjoy the 70-odd vintage and military aircraft on display. These enthusiasts are thrilled at the hands-on nature of some of the exhibits, and are able to climb in and examine the cockpits of planes, including a supersonic F-111 and 1954 CA-27 Sabre.

Three Nanchangs (Chinese-made trainers) break dramatically during their display.

F-18 Hornet, a cousin to the plane Tom Cruise flew in Top Gun, shot through the canopy of Matt Hall’s Extra EA300.

Next airshow: 6–7 May 2017

Getting there: lllawarra Airport is adjacent to the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail, 20km south of Wollongong and 90km south of Sydney.

More information here.